Biography
The career of Jamie Desautels has
encompassed many different musical
styles and includes work in varied areas
of the entertainment industry. Whether
on stage or in the recording studio Mr.
Desautels is sought after as a violinist,
composer and songwriter. He has
performed on five continents and his
compositions are recorded and performed
worldwide. His musical journey began with
violin studies at age 5 in Calgary,
Canada. At age 7 he was invited to study
at the world renowned Mount Royal
Conservatory. This conservatory
education was the springboard that
launched Mr. Desautels’ career into the
areas of Classical, Rock, Country, Jazz,
Hip-Hop and World Music.
The career of Jamie Desautels has
encompassed many different musical
styles and includes work in varied areas
of the entertainment industry. Whether
on stage or in the recording studio Mr.
Desautels is sought after as a violinist,
composer and songwriter. He has
performed on five continents and his
compositions are recorded and performed
worldwide. His musical journey began with
violin studies at age 5 in Calgary,
Canada. At age 7 he was invited to study
at the world renowned Mount Royal
Conservatory. This conservatory
education was the springboard that
launched Mr. Desautels’ career into the
areas of Classical, Rock, Country, Jazz,
Hip-Hop and World Music.
© Jennifer Small
Mr. Desautels has worked with Luciano Pavarotti, Arcade Fire, Garth Brooks, David
Byrne, Natalie Cole, Earth Wind and Fire, Sheena Easton, Rejane Magloire of
Technotronic, Don McLean, Abra Moore, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Catalina Chamber
Orchestra as Concertmaster, Japan Kumamoto Festival Orchestra , Austin Lyric Opera,
Breckenridge Music Institute and Dallas Chamber Orchestra. He has recorded for CMH
Vitamin, Disney, EMI Virgin, Koch, Microsoft, Nonesuch and Warner. He has been
commissioned to write String Quartets of Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire and Interpol. Mr.
Desautels has performed on numerous international television and radio broadcasts
including work with CBS, NBC, HBO, PBS, BBC, CBC and CTV. Since 2001 he has been
performing and recording with David Byrne of Talking Heads. This collaboration has
included multiple World Tours with appearances at Carnegie Hall and Central Park in
New York, Disney Hall and Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Royal Festival Hall in London,
Peter Gabriel’s Womad Festival (U.K., Greece) and Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee.
Byrne, Natalie Cole, Earth Wind and Fire, Sheena Easton, Rejane Magloire of
Technotronic, Don McLean, Abra Moore, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Catalina Chamber
Orchestra as Concertmaster, Japan Kumamoto Festival Orchestra , Austin Lyric Opera,
Breckenridge Music Institute and Dallas Chamber Orchestra. He has recorded for CMH
Vitamin, Disney, EMI Virgin, Koch, Microsoft, Nonesuch and Warner. He has been
commissioned to write String Quartets of Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire and Interpol. Mr.
Desautels has performed on numerous international television and radio broadcasts
including work with CBS, NBC, HBO, PBS, BBC, CBC and CTV. Since 2001 he has been
performing and recording with David Byrne of Talking Heads. This collaboration has
included multiple World Tours with appearances at Carnegie Hall and Central Park in
New York, Disney Hall and Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Royal Festival Hall in London,
Peter Gabriel’s Womad Festival (U.K., Greece) and Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee.
Mr. Desautels has received many
awards, degrees and reviews including
Doctor of Musical Arts studies
(University of Texas at Austin), a
Master of Music Degree (University of
Arizona), a Bachelor of Music Degree
with Distinction (University of Calgary)
and a Diploma of Music Performance
(Mount Royal Conservatory), First
Prize at the Grand North American
Open Fiddle Championship and the
Russian Performing Arts Grand Prize.
awards, degrees and reviews including
Doctor of Musical Arts studies
(University of Texas at Austin), a
Master of Music Degree (University of
Arizona), a Bachelor of Music Degree
with Distinction (University of Calgary)
and a Diploma of Music Performance
(Mount Royal Conservatory), First
Prize at the Grand North American
Open Fiddle Championship and the
Russian Performing Arts Grand Prize.
© Jennifer Small
After a performance in Seattle, American String Teacher Magazine applauded Mr.
Desautels’ “expressive and sensitive playing.” His work has been honored with many
accolades: “a model of dynamism.” (Boston Globe), “equally at home playing classical,
funk, pop and worldbeat.” (Chicago Tribune) Mr. Desautels’ re-setting of Talking Heads
classic “Psycho Killer” has been praised as “cleverly rearranged” (Variety) and “With its
eerie orchestral introduction Psycho Killer leapt to something grandly theatrical or
cinematic.” (abc.net.au)
Desautels’ “expressive and sensitive playing.” His work has been honored with many
accolades: “a model of dynamism.” (Boston Globe), “equally at home playing classical,
funk, pop and worldbeat.” (Chicago Tribune) Mr. Desautels’ re-setting of Talking Heads
classic “Psycho Killer” has been praised as “cleverly rearranged” (Variety) and “With its
eerie orchestral introduction Psycho Killer leapt to something grandly theatrical or
cinematic.” (abc.net.au)
Jamie Desautels
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